When Jesse, Mark, and I arrive back in the living room, I give my father a steady nod of acknowledgement before I move immediately for Jacks.He reaches for me with one arm, the other stretched out next to Marigold, holding a handful of beads up for her and Seraphina as they sit on the couch, string
Jackson tenses, snarling too, tucking his daughter a bit behind him as Hank’s eyes go wide, staring at the little girl.“What’s going on here?” Jackson growls. “How do you –““What is going on?” a voice says. “Dad, let me through –“Maryam steps forward then, peering into the room with a frown, scow
“Oh…oh my god,” Maryam says, taking a step back, shock all over her face. She presses a hand to her heart, shaking her head. “She’s…gone? That’s…that’s so fucking awful…”“You knew her?” I ask, stepping close to Jackson’s side and glancing at Marigold, wondering if she should be listening to this.“
“Let me take this little rabbit,” Maryam says, quite gentle and friendly, reaching for Marigold. Jackson tilts the little girl towards her friend and Marigold laughs, going happily and easily to Maryam, who takes her over to the window to look outside.“I’m so sorry, Jackson,” Hank says, coming clos
“Has Ella looked her over?” Hank asks, his professional demeanor returning now as he studies Marigold from a few feet away. Maryam turns, hearing the shift in her father’s voice and bringing Marigold back over. “Is she healthy, besides being malnourished?”“Oh, she’s fine,” mom says, clearly overhea
“Whatever assault on the Community you’re planning should seek to provide as much humanitarian aid as it does military force,” Hank says, sure and clear. “The goal should not merely to be to defeat whoever is in charge but to bring help to those who are suffering. I will only participate in this cou
“Okay!” I say, cheerful and excited, looking down at my mate’s little girl. “Change of plans, Goldie! We’re going to welcome a new baby into the world!”Marigold looks up at me with a little frown on her rosebud lips, clearly still not understanding and not particularly liking the face that candy ha
“How dare you, Jesse Sinclair,” Midnight says, standing with her feet wide apart in front of her yurt, hands on her hips, glaring hard up at her mate. “You know the rules. No! Pups!”“Oh, come on, Mids,” Jesse says, grinning and gesturing towards Marigold, who is still perched on his arm. “She’s sta